Ward County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Ward County?

Public records in Ward County are defined under North Dakota Century Code § 44-04-18 as any record, document, or other information created, received, or maintained by a public entity in the conduct of official business and subject to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of documents maintained by county offices, state agencies, and courts serving Ward County.

The following categories of records are currently available through various Ward County and state offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Clerk of District Court at the Ward County Courthouse. Members of the public may search Ward County district court case records through the North Dakota Courts online inquiry system.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded and maintained by the Ward County Recorder's Office and the Ward County Assessor's Office.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are administered at the state level through North Dakota Vital Records, a division of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by the Ward County Auditor's Office and the North Dakota Secretary of State.
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are held by the Ward County Tax Director's Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Ward County Auditor, who serves as the county's chief election officer.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of Ward County Commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings are maintained by the County Auditor's Office and are available for public inspection.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records are public documents maintained by the Ward County Auditor.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Ward County Sheriff's Department. Certain records may be withheld if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, variance applications, and land use permits are maintained by the Ward County Planning and Zoning Department.

Is Ward County an Open Records County?

Ward County fully operates under North Dakota's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under § 44-04-18 of the North Dakota Century Code, all records of public entities are open and accessible to the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This statute affirms that government records belong to the people and that transparency is a foundational principle of public administration in North Dakota.

Key provisions of the law currently in effect include the following:

Public entities must allow inspection of records during normal business hours without requiring a formal written request in most circumstances.
Agencies are prohibited from denying access to records without first identifying a specific statutory exemption and, where possible, must redact only the exempt portions rather than withholding an entire document.
North Dakota's open records law applies to all county offices, boards, commissions, and agencies operating within Ward County.

The North Dakota Attorney General's Office has issued formal opinions and enforcement actions related to open records compliance in Ward County. A documented case involving the Ward County Sheriff's Department found that the department violated § 44-04-18 by denying a records request without redacting only the confidential portions, underscoring the county's obligation to provide maximum disclosure. Ward County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance, as state law governs all public records access uniformly across North Dakota's counties.

How to Find Public Records in Ward County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Ward County public records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought.

Online search: Civil and criminal court case information is searchable through the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry portal, which covers the Northwest Judicial District, including Ward County.
In-person inspection: Members of the public may visit the relevant county office during regular business hours to inspect records on-site. No appointment is required for routine inspection requests at most offices.
Written request: For records not available online or at the public counter, a written request submitted to the appropriate custodial office is the standard procedure. Requests should identify the record sought with reasonable specificity, including the subject matter, date range, and any known identifying information.
Mail or email: Many Ward County offices accept records requests submitted by mail or electronic communication. Requestors should direct inquiries to the specific office that maintains the record type in question.
Vital records: Certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records are obtained through the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services' vital records services, either online, by mail, or in person at the state office in Bismarck.
Sex offender information: Members of the public may search the North Dakota Sex Offender Registry by name or geographic area at no cost.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Ward County?

Standard fees apply to the reproduction and certification of public records in Ward County, consistent with the fee schedule authorized under North Dakota law. Under current law, agencies may charge fees that reflect the actual cost of reproducing records but may not impose fees that function as a barrier to access.

Current standard fees generally include the following:

Photocopies: Typically $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies, though individual offices may set their own schedules within statutory limits.
Certified copies: Fees for certified copies vary by record type. Vital records certified copies issued through the state carry fees set by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.
Court records: The Clerk of District Court may charge per-page fees for printed copies of case documents. Online access through the courts inquiry portal may be available at no charge for basic case information.
Recording fees: The Ward County Recorder's Office charges fees for recording deeds, mortgages, and other instruments, as established by state statute.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waiver provisions may apply in cases where the requester demonstrates that disclosure is in the public interest and that the requester lacks the financial means to pay. Requestors seeking a fee waiver should submit a written request explaining the basis for the waiver to the custodial office.

Does Ward County Have Free Public Records?

Free public inspection of records is available in Ward County, as North Dakota law requires public entities to allow on-site inspection of records without charge. Members of the public may review documents at the relevant county office during regular business hours at no cost; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.

The following free resources are currently available:

Court case information: Basic case data, including party names, case numbers, and hearing dates, is accessible at no cost through the North Dakota district court records search portal.
Sex offender registry: The North Dakota Sex Offender Registry provides free public access to registered offender information, including name, address, and offense history.
County commission records: Meeting agendas, minutes, and budget documents are available for free inspection at the Ward County Auditor's Office and may be posted on the county's official website.
Property and tax information: Basic property assessment and tax data may be reviewed in person at the Ward County Assessor's and Tax Director's offices without charge.

Who Can Request Public Records in Ward County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is entitled to request and inspect public records in Ward County under North Dakota's open records law. The statute does not restrict access to residents of the state or county, nor does it require requestors to provide identification or explain the reason for their request in most circumstances.

Specific eligibility considerations include the following:

Residency: Non-residents of North Dakota retain the same right of access to public records as state residents. No proof of residency is required.
Identification: Most offices do not require requestors to present identification for routine inspection requests. Identification may be required when requesting records that contain personal information about the requestor, such as one's own vital records.
Purpose: Requestors are generally not required to state the purpose of their request. Agencies may not condition access on the disclosure of intended use.
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as adoption files, juvenile court records, and sealed court documents, are restricted to authorized parties regardless of the general open records framework.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a notarized authorization.

What Records Are Confidential in Ward County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure in Ward County pursuant to specific statutory provisions under North Dakota law. § 44-04-17.1 of the North Dakota Century Code and related statutes identify the following as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records: Documents sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential and accessible only to authorized parties, including the juvenile, parents, and legal counsel.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation and the safety of individuals involved.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are redacted from publicly released documents.
Medical records: Health information protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is exempt from public disclosure.
Adoption records: Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory authorization.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for information such as an employee's name, position title, and compensation.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in the course of licensing or permitting may be withheld.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public facilities or critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact only the confidential portions and release the remainder, consistent with the obligations affirmed in enforcement actions involving the Ward County Sheriff's Department.

Ward County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Ward County Recorder's Office serves as the official repository for property-related documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property in Ward County. The Recorder's Office is located within the Ward County Courthouse in Minot, North Dakota.

Ward County Recorder's Office 315 SE 3rd Street, Minot, ND 58701 (701) 857-6430 Ward County Official Website

Ward County Auditor's Office 315 SE 3rd Street, Minot, ND 58701 (701) 857-6460 Ward County Official Website

Ward County Tax Director's Office 315 SE 3rd Street, Minot, ND 58701 (701) 857-6430 Ward County Official Website

Clerk of District Court — Ward County Ward County Courthouse, P.O. Box 5005, Minot, ND 58702-5005 (701) 857-6520 Regular public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ward County — North Dakota Court System

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services — Vital Records 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505 (701) 328-2360 Vital Records — North Dakota HHS

Ward County Sheriff's Department 315 SE 3rd Street, Minot, ND 58701 (701) 857-6500 Ward County Official Website